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6181 Hello, Trying to figure out what came in on my Christmas tree. We are in Calgary, AB area and the store tells me the tree came from out East- likely Quebec or NB. The tree was outside for several days, but it has been a very mild winter ( typically above freezing days). Cheers, Tanya

This is a stink bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae) in the genus Chlorochroa, possibly C. ligata, a species widespread in Canada; seehttps://tinyurl.com/ydcsywmrfor some images. This species appears to feed primarily on developing seeds, especially those of plants in the legume family. It does not appear to be a serious pest species in Canada, but has been reported to damage cotton bolls in the southern United States where it is known as the conchuela stink bug. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6180 Hello -Shawn here in Prince George B.C.and we are experiencing a mild winter so far this December 2017. We found this unusual critter walking in a shower that does not see regular use & can not seem to identify it. It was @ 8 – 10 mm long and seemed sensitive to light changes/movements. We are just wondering if it crawled in or if it may be an indicator of other issues (mold / mildew or other moisture caused issues)

This is a bristletail (Zygentoma: Lepismatidae), I cannot tell from this image whether it more likely is a silverfish or firebrat. Both basically are nuisance pests that usually cause no real harm. See https://tinyurl.com/ydaj8n2s for more detailed information and control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

http://pestcontrolcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/6180.jpg487617Pest Control Canadahttp://pestcontrolcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/logo-400-300x121.pngPest Control Canada2017-12-07 15:59:422017-12-10 12:12:55silverfish or firebrat

6179 Found this in our home in Chilliwack, BC, late November 2017. It acts like a tube worm, it has been impossible to photograph when the head is out as it seems to be incredibly sensitive to noise and light. Mark

This looks like a case-bearing clothes moth, Tineapellionella (Lepidoptera: Tineidae). See https://tinyurl.com/ychmy3mq elsewhere on this site for more detailed information and control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6178 Hi there,I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia and have found a whole lot of these flies in pretty much all of my windows this November- upstairs and in the basement. There was some condensation on some of the windows. They are usually dead or not very active, but have reappeared after spraying with raid. Should I be concerned. How do I get rid of them? Thanks, Rachel

This looks like a fungus gnat, possibly in the family Mycetophilidae. These basically are nuisance pests; the adult flies cause no harm, but the larvae of some species can damage roots and lower stems of tender plants, especially in greenhouses or in indoor pots. If you have indoor potted plants, check soil moisture levels – the soil should be allowed to dry out as much as practical between waterings. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6177 Hello,. This bug is smaller than most that we’ve had, at about 3mm long. They fly, and when threatened, they just fall and start to fly. We live in Kelowna BC and we started getting these at the end of summer, and it’s now Nov. 30. They are attracted to our Lipstick plant that blooms small red flowers and have sap that the bugs are, I think, feeding off of. The leaves were covered in them! Last night I rinsed the plant off and many baby sized bugs came off, like this one. Sadly, we can’t seem to get them all so the plant is outside now. Some of the bugs have been hiding in our Jade plant but not nearly as many, so we’re hoping we got rid of their food source, but we found two more on the ceiling, this was one of them.If you can help that would be fantastic! Thank you kindly, April

This is an elm seed bug, Arocatus melanocephalus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), an introduced species that has become a nuisance pest in many areas. See https://tinyurl.com/y77dynqq for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6175 I cannot tell if the rat on the top of the pictures is a Norway rat or a black rat. It is much larger than the rest of what appear to be black rats. These rats were trapped on Tinian Island, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. They were trapped with Victor rat traps, baited with peanut butter and oats. Any help greatly appreciated. Best regards, Brian, Research Associate, Center for Environmental Management of Military Lands, Colorado State University.

Only three species of rat, all introduced, have been reported from Tinian. The commonest species is the roof rat, Rattusrattus, likely was brought in by Europeans. The Polynesian rat, R. exulans, likely accompanied early Polynesian settlers, and does not appear to have been reported from Tinian since 1945. The Norway rat, R. norvegicus, was reported in 1913, but that identification now appears doubtful. For details, see “The mammals of Tinian, Mariana Islands” (https://tinyurl.com/ycqudhy4). The appearance of hair on the tail of the larger rat likely is an artifact of the tail having been crushed to some extent. I believe that it most likely is an adult male roof rat. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6173 Hello, I live in Burlington, Ontario and I found a very small worm/caterpillar on the wall. Can you ID it for me? It moved very slowly in a wave-like manner. Pics are attached. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks RM.

This is a caterpillar, but I cannot make a more specific determination from this image. At least it does not appear to be any of the common household pest species and thus likely to be a harmless accidental intruder. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6172 Attached is a photo of possible bug eggs that were found beneath a baseboard heater in Ottawa, ON. The bottom of the heater is very dusty but these “eggs” were not which suggests that they are new, although this is unknown. It is currently November and there is snow on the ground. These “eggs” were found indoors. They are about the size and shape of popcorn kernels. It is also unknown what the two larger objects are (the long one on the carpet on the bottom left and the one on the baseboard heater on the top right). Please let me know if any of these look familiar. Thanks. Erin

These objects look to me to be more likely plant than insect-related; certainly do not look like typical insect eggs. Do you by any chance have mice on your premises? If so, they might have brought these in. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

This is a big-eyed bug, Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Geocoridae); they are general predators on other small arthropods and this usually considered as beneficial. Nice photo! Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6170 Hello & please help Identify the attached larva; The hole in the oak floor is where the larva was found. White powder sawdust was removed with an air blast and the larva was coaxed out by injecting wasp foam spray into the bore hole about 3-1/4” long. The home is located between Brantford and Paris Ontario. Thanks; Gord

This looks more like a larva of a long-horned wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae). Larvae of flat-headed wood-boring beetles (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) can be quite similar in appearance except for having their thoracic segments (immediately behind the head) somewhat to greatly flattened (see https://tinyurl.com/yd5n2w9j for an example). This results in their exit holes being noticeably oval in cross section whereas those of round-headed borers are circular or nearly so. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6169 This 6 legged insect may have entered my house on a jacket that was left outside overnight. Two days ago it seemed lifeless after my cat discovered it, soft, moist and pale like shrimp but now it’s segments are dry and more solid… then it wiggled when handled for the photo so perhaps I’ll return it to the thickets once this rain lets up. I hope you might be able to identify it as friendly and native to my area? Mild in October, near a mix of wooded swamp and wild fields in Trenton, Ontario.

This is a pupa of a beetle; likely that of a yellow mealworm (Tenebriomolitor; Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae); see https://tinyurl.com/yaa2l9g3 for an image. These beetles are cosmopolitan in distribution, and sometimes can be pests in stored grains, especially those that have been damaged by excess moisture. See https://tinyurl.com/puwfch2 for detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6168 Found inside and out, mainly spring and fall. They all look to be of same size and colouring. Property near tidal water. Thanks, Mark.

This is a western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossusoccidentalis (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Coreidae). These often enter buildings in search of shelter, but do no harm there. See https://tinyurl.com/ybmonu3 for detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6167 This specimen was caught in a bug trap (baited with black and varied carpet beetle pheromone and a food pellet), placed in a carpeted lunchroom near a wall and a radiator. We collected this specimen on October 23, 2017 (specimen was likely caught in trap within the last week). Our geographical location is Burlington Ontario. Thanks, Corey. Botany Intern, Royal Botanical Gardens

This looks like an ant-like flower beetle (Coleoptera: Anthicidae); see https://tinyurl.com/yar8cj9z for an example. Some of these will infest stored grains and dried fruit; see https://tinyurl.com/yajgg7t6 for detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6166 Hello I would greatly appreciate it if you could help me identify this spider thank you. Nicola

This is a very well-fed (and likely gravid) female orb-weaving spider in the genus Araneus, likely A. diadematus, a very common and widespread species in the northern hemisphere. In North America, it usually is called a cross spider whereas in Europe, it usually is called the European garden spider. See https://tinyurl.com/mfwo8t2 for more detailed information Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6164 Found this live bug this morning (5:30am) on my bathroom mat, I am location in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Legs would tuck in when prodded, then after few seconds get up and move. Moves pretty quickly. Size is approx 4mm from tip of head (not antennae) to backend. The weather is just starting to here to single digits (celcius) in the morning. I have seen this bug dead before (about 5 of them) in the bedroom near the mattress, and once on the mattress when I was changing the sheets, they were all dead. Would like to know what this bug is and if I need to take action. With kind regards, Amy

This is a click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae), it appears to be in the genus Aeolus – see https://tinyurl.com/y8lo5jr7 for an example. These simply are accidental intruders that will do no harm. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6163 This was on the roof inside our holiday trailer on August 28, 2017. It was about 5/8” in length and 3/8” wide. When my husband picked it off the ceiling he said it wouldn’t “squish” in between his fingers because the body was hard. We were camping at Tunnel Mountain Campground, in Banff, Alberta. Neither of us have seen a bug like this before, so thank you for identifying it for us. Mary and Garry

This appears to be a red-cross shield bug, Elasmostethus cruciatus (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Acanthosomatidae); see https://tinyurl.com/ybfqbwfy for an image. They appear to feed primarily on alder trees. These are very close relatives to true stink bugs in the family Pentatomidae, and sometimes may be mistaken for one of those. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6162 Hi. This beetle was found in field behind my house on a sunny day during mid-October. I live in Port Elgin, Ontario. I don’t remember ever seeing this beetle before and didn’t see it on your website. The beetle is fairly large at around 3.5 cm long. My son has suggested that it may be an Oil beetle. Please confirm. Andy. Port Elgin, ON

This is indeed an oil beetle, a type of blister beetle (Coleoptera: Meloidae) in the genus Meloe. They are called oil beetles because of their habit of exuding an oily fluid (their equivalent of blood) from between their joints when handled roughly. This fluid contains a chemical (cantharidin) that can cause blisters on tender skin. See https://tinyurl.com/y7jhuhrq for more information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

http://pestcontrolcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/6162.jpg854600Pest Control Canadahttp://pestcontrolcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/logo-400-300x121.pngPest Control Canada2017-10-26 21:12:452017-10-29 15:17:59oil beetle, a type of blister beetle

6161 Please help with ID of this guy. My son found him already dead. It looks like a borer of some kind but I cannot find it online anywhere. We live on the edge of a wooded area, and just received a load of wood from a local source in the last 2 weeks. Thanks, Jennifer. Just outside of Greater Kingston Area, Ontario, Canada.

This appears to be a brown prionid, Orthosoma brunneum (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), see https://tinyurl.com/y7tpzvhg for an image. Their larvae bore in damp/rotting wood, usually that in contact with soil; they are not destructive. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6160 Location: Valleyfield, Quebec, Canada. Place fund: book store, build on a concrete slab. We had the insects showed in post 5612. But they evolve into this and they still move really fast. They now measure about 5cm long and when they flee they’re about 2cm tall. We would like to know what are those bugs and can they bite or damage any goods in the store ? There is no food, it’s a book store. Thank you. Rachel O.

This is a house centipede, Scutigeracoleoptrata (Chilopoda: Scutigeromorpha), a peridomestic species having a very wide distribution. They cause no damage, but feed on other arthropods that they happen across. Although the house centipede is capTable of biting a human, this seldom occurs, and the effect of a bite reportedly is no worse than a minor bee sting. See https://tinyurl.com/mn7mzf for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

These are robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae); likely in the genus Promachus – see https://tinyurl.com/yddn9x4h for an example. Robber flies are ambush predators that simply wait until a potential meal flies/wanders into striking distance. They then fly out, nab their victim, and bring it back to their perch for a leisurely meal. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6158 This has been found in a townhouse unit multiple have been present they have antennas and are a winged species but not recognized to fly, medium brown in color resemble a grasshopper in the legs, it has travelled through ventilation to other units as well, any suggestive information to identify would be greatly appreciated.

This is a German cockroach, Blattella germanica (Blattodea: Ectobiidae), a peridomestic species that is notoriously difficult to control in multiple-unit dwellings. See https://tinyurl.com/h3nd9z8 elsewhere on this site for some cockroach control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6157 Hi. I am in Paradise, NL. I found this crawling on my siding. Way bigger than a ladybug.

This is an eye-spotted lady beetle, Anatismali (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae); see https://tinyurl.com/y8mfo6r9 for an image. Lady beetles in the genus Anatis are among the largest found in North America; I recall being very impressed by the ones I found on our North Dakota farm some 60 years ago. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6156 Hello I just killed this bug in our child’s room in Toronto, Please note the little spots on the back. Please help! Richard

This is a nymph of Reduviuspersonatus, an assassin bug (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Reduviidae) known as a masked hunter. This is an introduced species likely of European origin that is frequently found indoors where it feeds on the insects and other arthropods it finds there. It is reported to have a very painful (but not dangerous) bite; see https://tinyurl.com/23g4bdy for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6155 I found this in a drawer in our house in Halifax Nova Scotia. Can you please identify and tell me if I need to be concerned. Thanks. Ray

This appears to be a nymph of an Australian cockroach, Periplaneta australasiae (Blattodea: Blattidae), a peridomestic species found in many areas of eastern North America. See https://tinyurl.com/h3nd9z8 elsewhere on this site for some cockroach control recommendations. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6154 Hello, Found this 5mm long insect (photos attached) indoors in Southern Ontario this month (Oct) Any idea what it is? Adam

This is a click beetle (Coleoptera: Elateridae), possibly in the genus Aeolus – see https://tinyurl.com/y8lo5jr7 for an example. Just an accidental intruder, it will do no harm. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

Hello, Could you tell me what these are and if they are something I need to be worried about. Sam

6153 These are boxelder bugs. In the fall they may crawl into cracks and cavities around a home seeking shelter from winter. They are a nuisance but not harmful. For more information see: http://pestcontrolcanada.com/box-elder-bugs

6152 Hi, I’m curious if you might be able to identify this insect. The picture was taken late August 2017 in the Vancouver, BC Canada area. The insect seemed to have sticky pads of some type on it’s “feet”, as it wouldn’t easily come loose when the cup was repeatedly shaken/banged outside, until it flung (didn’t fly) and stuck/grasped against the side of the nearby house about 4’ away. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jason

This appears to be a male drumming katydid, Meconemathalassinum (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae); see https://tinyurl.com/yd9ylbvp for an image. This is a European species that has been introduced into North America; in Europe, it is known as the oak bush-cricket. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6150 I found this caterpillar in Weldon Park in London, Ontario a week ago (late September). Is it a banded tussock? I’m curious to know what the white things are on it’s back. Kelly

This does appear to be a banded tussock moth caterpillar (Halysidota tessellaris; Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae). The white objects are the cocoons spun by larvae of a parasitic wasp (likely a braconid in the subfamily Microgastrinae) that developed within the body of the caterpillar. When the larvae are fully grown, they chew through the cuticle of the caterpillar and then spin a cocoon that protects them during their pupal stage. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

I came home from work today to find this little guy crawling on the side of our house! Any idea what it is? Thanks Dave

This is a caterpillar of a swallowtail butterfly (Lepidoptera: Paplionidae) in the genus Papilio; see https://tinyurl.com/y7c8pns8 for an example. These caterpillars often change from green to brown as they get ready to pupate. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

http://pestcontrolcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/6144.jpg640480Pest Control Canadahttp://pestcontrolcanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/logo-400-300x121.pngPest Control Canada2017-10-06 10:11:322017-10-06 10:12:18caterpillar of a swallowtail butterfly

6148 Found in interior BC near Nelson in August. Approximately 1.25 inches long (large). Unable to identify. Lauren

This is a rodent bot fly (Diptera: Oestridae; Cuterebra sp.). Their larvae develop under the skin of several species of rodents; the adult flies lack functional mouthparts and are harmless. See https://tinyurl.com/ybftn3ff for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6147 I’m from Parksville, B.C. I found this dead bug burrowed in my carport wood beam also when removing a rotted piece from a beam I found a larvae. Here I thought termites were my biggest problem. I had already squirted some termidor poison in all the visible holes, I also removed a sunflower seed they must have used as a plug. What are my options?

This is Buprestisaurulenta, a metallic wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) sometimes called the golden buprestid or jewel beetle. This species can spend a remarkably long time in its larval stages; see https://tinyurl.com/ycs5h2sj for detailed information. At this point, there is no useful control option; see https://tinyurl.com/yakc6r4x for details. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6145 We are finding the bug on our window. I have pleaded blinds in the front window and they are crawling I’m the pleats. They are half a inch or three quarters of a inch they have wings and are brown with a light stomach.

This is a brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorphahalys (Hemiptera/Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), an introduced species that has become a pest in much of North America. See https://tinyurl.com/nkexo3 for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

This is a long-horned wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the subfamily Prioninae, it looks like Tragosomadepsarium; see http://tinyurl.com/y7g53rba for an image. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6142 I didn’t see anything else like this odd little thing on your site. It was found at Victoria Beach, Manitoba, in August (summer), outdoors on a nice day – 25-ish degrees Celsius. Thanks for looking at it – your site is great. Ida

I cannot tell for certain what this is – if it was moving and very soft in texture, it would be a slug, a shelless mollusk related to snails. If it was hard to the touch and immobile, it might be a chrysalis of a small butterfly. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6141 My name is Diane. I am 10 years old.I found this insect: Outside, Sunny day, July 21, 2017 (summer) Geography (Orleans / Ottawa area) very near the Ottawa riverThe insect looks a bit like bark off of a tree. Grey in colour. The insect from tail to head (not including the antennae) is 3.4 cms long.He seemed like a pretty friendly little critter 😊Diane

This is a metallic wood-boring beetle (Coleoptera: Buprestidae); it looks like a member of the genus Chalcophora – see http://tinyurl.com/yawxrvbw for an example and additional information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6139 We have found two of these bugs on our deck this summer. We live 60 miles west of Toronto. I do a lot of gardening and suspect they like it. The white spots along he lower body were interesting enough for me to ask what bug is this. Thank you, Alex

This is a Japanese beetle, Popillia japonica (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), an introduced species that has become a serious pest in much of North America. See http://tinyurl.com/hzjj3my for more detailed information. Ed Saugstad, retired entomologist; Sinks Grove, WV.

6138 Hi! I’m hoping someone can help me identify this bug. I found a few on my bedding today, my dogs also sleep on the bed. They were tiny… not even a millimetre, the few I saw were reddish brown in colour. The attached is under 4x magnification. thank you, Juliana.

Your photo is a bit dark for identification but is does look like a mite. Definitely not a bed bug.

6136 Hi I found this shiny brown bug inside, on the cold tile floor. The location is lakeside, at Seeleys Bay, about 30 minutes north of Kingston, Ontario. The bug is about 1cm in length (about the size of a dime). I looked through beetle (and cockroach) references on- line but didn’t see any creatures with this kind of hind end. Would be so pleased to learn what it is. Thank-you, Jennifer.

6134 Hi. This bug was just inside my house in Nova Scotia. Is this a form of tick?

This is a masked Hunter. Both adults and nymphs are predators that feed on other insects including flies, carpet beetles, mealworms and bed bugs. The adult bug is dark brown or black and about 3/4 of inch long. The nymphs or immatures are covered with microscopic hairs which catch and hold dust, lint, and other small particles of debris.
See https://pestid.msu.edu/insects-and-arthropods/masked-red-hunter for more information.